Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is happening in Genesis 39:18?
A: In Genesis 39:18, Yosef (Joseph) is fleeing from the advances of Potiphar's wife. When she grabs his garment, he leaves it behind and runs outside to avoid sin. This shows his commitment to righteousness even in difficult circumstances (Rashi on Genesis 39:12).
Q: Why did Yosef leave his garment behind?
A: Yosef left his garment behind because Potiphar's wife was trying to seduce him, and he chose to flee rather than commit a sin. The Torah teaches us that sometimes we must make sacrifices (like leaving a garment) to avoid wrongdoing (Rambam, Hilchot Issurei Biah 22:2).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's actions in this verse?
A: We learn from Yosef that we must be willing to act decisively to avoid sin, even if it means losing something valuable (like his garment). The Talmud (Sotah 36b) praises Yosef's self-control and teaches that this is why he merited future greatness.
Q: Why is this moment important in Yosef's story?
A: This moment is a key test of Yosef's character. Despite being alone in Egypt and vulnerable, he chooses morality over temptation. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:7) explains that this demonstrated his righteousness and set the stage for his eventual rise to power.
Q: How does this verse apply to our lives today?
A: Like Yosef, we may face tests where we must choose between right and wrong. The verse teaches us to act immediately to avoid sin, even if it's difficult. Jewish tradition emphasizes that we should remove ourselves from tempting situations, just as Yosef fled (Talmud, Avodah Zarah 17a).
Context in the Torah
This verse (Bereshit 39:15) appears in the narrative of Yosef (Joseph) and the wife of Potiphar. After she attempts to seduce him, Yosef flees, leaving his garment behind as evidence of her false accusation.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיְהִי כַּהֲרִימִי קוֹלִי וָאֶקְרָא" ("as I lifted up my voice and cried") refers to Potiphar's wife raising her voice to summon the household servants, framing Yosef as the aggressor. Rashi notes that her false cry was a deliberate act to create witnesses to her fabricated claim (Rashi on Bereshit 39:15).
Midrashic Interpretation
The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:7) elaborates that Yosef's decision to flee demonstrated his righteousness. At that moment, he saw a vision of his father Yaakov, which strengthened his resolve to avoid sin. The Midrash emphasizes that Yosef's moral strength was such that he was willing to sacrifice his physical freedom rather than transgress.
Rambam's Ethical Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 22:18) cites this episode as a paradigm of how one must distance oneself from even the appearance of impropriety. Yosef's flight, despite potential consequences, exemplifies the principle of "סור מרע ועשה טוב" ("turn from evil and do good")—prioritizing spiritual integrity over personal risk.
Symbolism of the Garment
Halachic Implications
The Gemara (Sotah 36b) derives from this incident that one must be willing to endure suffering rather than commit a sin. Yosef's choice to flee, despite the risk of punishment, becomes a model for resisting temptation even under duress.